ld, however, be made for
depression and unavoidable deficiency of dress. His face is thoughtful and
intelligent; to a strong cast of countenance he adds a penetrating eye, and
a prominent forehead. His whole demeanour is humble, not servile. Both on
his passage from England, and since his arrival here, his conduct has been
irreproachable. He is appointed high-constable of the settlement of Rose
Hill, a post of some respectability, and certainly one of importance to
those who live here. His knowledge of men, particularly of that part of
them into whose morals, manners and behaviour he is ordered especially to
inspect, eminently fit him for the office.
I cannot quit him without bearing my testimony that his talents promise to
be directed in future to make reparation to society for the offences he has
heretofore committed against it.
The number of persons of all descriptions at Rose Hill at this period will
be seen in the following return.
A return of the number of persons at Rose Hill, 3rd of December 1791
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Quality. |Men.|Women.| Children
| | | of 10 years | of 2 years | under 2 years
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Convicts* 1336 133 0 9 17
Troops 94 9 1 5 2
Civil Department 7 0 0 0 0
Seamen Settlers 3 0 0 0 0
Free Persons 0 7 2 1 2
Total number of
persons 1440 149 3 15 21
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[*The convicts who are become settlers, are included in this number.]
Of my Sydney journal, I find no part sufficiently interesting to be worth
extraction. This place had long been considered only as a depot for stores.
It exhibited nothing but a few old scattered huts and some sterile gardens.
Cultivation of the ground was abandoned, and all our strength transferred
to Rose Hill. Sydney, nevertheless, continued to be the place of the
governor's residence, and consequently the headquarters of the colony. No
public building of note, except a storehouse, had been erected since my
last statement.
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